Seminar in Linguistics (400-0-20)

Topic

Chicagoland Project

Instructors

Annette D'Onofrio
847/491-8052
2016 Sheridan Rd,, Room 301
Office Hours: By appt.

Meeting Info

Cresap Laboratory 101: Thurs 10:30AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

This seminar will focus on the study of sociolinguistic variation and its connections with geographical place, with a focus on English spoken in the Chicagoland area. We will interweave sociolinguistic work with texts from allied academic fields in anthropology, sociology, cultural studies, and geography. Topics for discussion will include the connection of linguistic variation and change to the historical development of place-based dialects, structural and ideological connections between place and other identity factors in the U.S. context, and intersectionality. We will also engage in hands-on corpus processing and sociolinguistic analysis using data from the Chicagoland Language Project, which may result in a co-authored conference submission.

Registration Requirements

Graduate standing in Linguistics, or permission of instructor required.

Learning Objectives

• Understand theoretical foundations, current research practices, and future directions in the study of language and place, particular in urban areas.
• Practice synthesizing, analyzing, and critiquing academic work in oral and written formats
• Engage in the practice of intellectual dialogue with classmates through active participation in large and small group discussions, peer review practices, and facilitating conversations on course topics
• Engage in hands-on research experience designing a research study, creating a sample, processing data and conducting analysis.

Teaching Method

Seminar style discussions; student presentations; in-class data processing and analysis sessions.

Evaluation Method

In-class presentations, data processing and analysis assignments, final write-up.

Class Materials (Required)

None